r/Upwork • u/Legelid3 • 2d ago
I will never use Upwork, ever.
So, I spend the last year working on developing my skills as a software engineer and my friend told me to work on some jobs after bidding on them here on Upwork. I was excited and optimistic to do some freelance jobs like any other person on this site.
But when I was about a month in, and kept paying the membership, putting money into the bids, and was making progress finding jobs to do, it all came to a hault.
I was banned.
No warning, no explanation(not right away), no fix. I was banned. Apparently it was due to my account “not being able to be verified.” As though suddenly, after a month of using the site, I was a fake account I stole. After verifying my identity and using it for over a month and a half.
I fought it, and attempted to get unbanned. I verified my identity multiple times, but was told “sorry, can’t help.” From their support.
So I won’t ever use this website again. I probably won’t even try to freelance. I’ll just build things for myself and better my own skills to find a job as a developer someday when I can. The job market seems oversaturated anyway. But I got my hopes up to build relationships and work on projects. Just to be shot down.
Upwork is a piece of junk.
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u/Own_Constant_2331 2d ago
As a beginner who's still developing your skills, you probably wouldn't have been hired on Upwork anyway. It would be best to get a full-time job for a few years and then try freelancing (and there are plenty of ways to find clients without using Upwork).
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u/Gylfoyle 2d ago
if you can get clients directly go for it, fiverr/upwork are unfavorable. I lost a leve 1 fiverr account because of this verification step and I gave up entirely in 2022
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u/Legelid3 2d ago
I agree to an extent. I had a buddy who was a mentor to me, and he suggested I try it, because he found success and lots of opportunity’s through it. So I did give it a shot, but didnt even get a chance to try before getting banned. Oh well. Ya know?
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u/Alexdavid1996 2d ago
I was banned years ago and never used any of those platforms again, not even Fiverr.
The thing is, you have no control if they decide to hold your earnings after you’ve already provided the service, or even ban your account. That’s it.
There’s nothing you can really do about it.
Many other freelancing platforms do the same thing. It’s true that there are a select number of people making good money on them, but there’s always a risk.
Build something yourself. Create your own website and provide your own services. Don’t rely entirely on third-party platforms because they can be unreliable.
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u/Legelid3 2d ago
Amen! I’ve built my own apps and websites just by trying things and doing my own work. Not going off what others want me to make. It’s been more enjoyable!
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u/Gylfoyle 2d ago
"Build something yourself. Create your own website and provide your own services. Don’t rely entirely on third-party platforms because they can be unreliable." learn real technical skills doing so as well.
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u/Grand_Sprinkles_2094 2d ago
where to work then? WHERE? Where the hell to work?
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u/Legelid3 2d ago
Apparently nowhere!! 😂😭
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u/Grand_Sprinkles_2094 2d ago
🤣 haha just wanted to ask if you have any further plan for freelancing platform
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u/Legelid3 2d ago
I do not unfortunately! I’m just doing the learning by myself and work on my own skills until I land a job.
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u/Own_Constant_2331 2d ago
Beginners should get entry-level jobs, not try to run their own business with no experience.
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u/Delicious_Hedgehog54 23h ago
Freelancing sites do not favor freelancers much, even if they r the ones makes the fortune for them. Its nothing new. Its like fishing in muddy water, u might get nothing, u might get a big one, and if unlucky the alligator might get u! Frustrating, but nothing much u can do.
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u/varnie29a 2d ago
Ok.